Property Express Holiday & Hospitality News, 18 08 25

Accra Bar Week 2025 concluded over the weekend, bringing together hospitality professionals from Africa, Europe and beyond for a week of masterclasses, forums and cultural experiences. 

The event featured mixology training by Cass of the European Bartender School, international guest shifts at top Accra bars, a branding forum led by Bliss King, and a collaboration session with Antoine Mensah. 

Highlights also included the launch of The Republic Bar’s new coffee flavour. Organisers noted that the week fostered cross-cultural exchange and innovation, reinforcing community-driven growth in Ghana’s hospitality industry.

The Hague African Festival 2025 lit up the city lastwith a vibrant showcase of African music, fashion, film and culture under the theme ‘Changemakers.’ Now in its 14th year, the festival, curated and directed by Augustina ‘MS ABA’ Austin, brought together established stars, emerging talent and cultural innovators from across Africa and the diaspora. 

Over several weeks, audiences engaged with concerts, exhibitions, film screenings and community events, with the celebrations culminating in a colourful finale at ZuiderparkTheater. Among the standout performances was Ghanaian music star Epixode, who teamed up with the all-female Infinity Band for a dynamic set that blended energy with heartfelt tributes. 

His appearance followed his recent recognition at the 2025 Ghana Music Awards, where he received the Music for Good Award for using music to drive positive social impact. The festival once again highlighted the growing influence of African creativity and culture on the global stage while championing changemakers shaping the future.

Ghanaian comedian OB Amponsah has won the 2025 Ultimate Comic Challenge at The Idiot Box Comedy Club in Greensboro, North Carolina, earning a $2,000 prize and a headlining slot at the venue. 
The competition, in its 19th year, featured comedians from across the U.S., with six finalists competing in the August 9 grand finale. 

OB impressed with sharp punchlines, cultural depth and engaging crowd work, securing first place ahead of runner-up Seth Payne and third-place Jay Stadler. Organisers praised his unique style, noting his ability to connect with audiences. 
His upcoming headlining set at The Idiot Box is already generating excitement, marking a significant step in his U.S. comedy journey.

China’s thriving tourism landscape—driven by a remarkable 20% year-on-year increase in domestic travel, with 3.285 billion trips recorded in the first half of 2025—is reshaping its hospitality industry. 

Hotels across the country are increasingly adopting cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, enhancing cultural programming, and involving international management to meet the evolving expectations of modern travelers. 
This transformation underscores a strategic push toward experiential and tech-enabled hospitality offerings.

Source : Joyceln Marigold, PE Holiday & Hospitality News